Yes it’s crystal clear. The quickest swing is down and up, ( a curvature path between two points) In the balls flight, when the bat is at its lowest point the barrel is below the balls path. It then raises up to the point of contact.
The math problem explains clearly that all pro’s videos of them taking the most direct
route of the hands/barrel it is slower.
When you create the Nike swoosh like Trout showed earlier, the quickest path happens. The pic with a powder path.
It’s why being late can result in a foul straight back. It’s also why when a hitter is looking for different pitch or location, they might be late and swing under the ball. Their under the ball because of timing, the bat always takes that path but the timing is wrong (doesn’t get back up in time).
Case closed. Math, geometrics has solved the problem.
stop looking at the bat. Look at the angle of their bodies. the barrel is above the hands for a long time. The bodies perception of up and down is based on spine angle. forward bend into side bend is why you THINK they swing up.